The Schwartz Report

Apple iPads and iPhones to Get Flash?

But that remains to be seen. While the company's move will allow developers to use third party tools including those used to create Adobe Flash code, that doesn't mean iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch devices will be able to run Web-based Flash content. Still, it suggests that may be in the cards at some point.

What happened to Apple CEO Steve Jobs' insistence that Adobe Flash was too buggy and would be a drag on power on the devices? Will he stick to that stance?

"We have listened to our developers and taken much of their feedback to heart," Apple said in a statement released yesterday. The news drove Adobe's shares up 12 percent yesterday. The unusual about-face by Apple was likely the result of the Federal Trade Commission's June inquiry and success of Google's Android platform, according to The Wall Street Journal. IDC this week said Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform will steal share from Apple in the coming quarters.

It remains to be seen whether Flash on iPhones and iPads Apple's relaxed guidelines for developers if iPhones, iPads and iPods will increase their appeal and put a wrench into challenges by Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Research In Motion and others.

What's your take on Apple's unexpected move? Drop me a line at jschwartz@1105media.com.